How do you import the .vmx and .vmdk files from workstation to esx 3.0.2?

[virtual_Vic]

Hello all,

I have a vendor onsight for some training and he has given us a prepackaged VM. However, the VM has been created on workstation (I dont know which version yet). I need to import to our ESX 3.0.2 environment but it comes up as invalid. What is the process of converting this? please assume I know nothing.

I cant use vmplayer, unfortunately, as the training workstations dont have the RAM necessary to run that.

Thanks in advance,

-Vic

[MR-T]

You should use VMware Converter.

It's free to download and will allow you to move from W/S to ESX.

[rpartmann]

Hi,

try the VMware Converter. works great.

reinhard.

ps: Award points if you find answers helpful. Thanks.

[Troy_Clavell]

VMware Converter, I believe, will be able to take care of that.

There is an option for source Type "Standalone virtual machine, backup or disk image.

[virtual_Vic]

Mr-T\rpartmann\

I can't use vmconverter. the VM is not running anywhere. We dont have vm workstation here to run the VM. Otherwise, that is exactly what I would use. I only have the vmx and vmdk files to work with here. i've already used winscp to place it on a lun that all 100 hosts can see.

thanks,

-Vic

[ascari]

Hi

try to use vmkfstools -i to import your vmdk disk.

Bye

[khughes]

You could always download a free trial version of vmware workstation, unless you can't download/install on the systems you are using.

[RParker]

VM Converter will clone that environment. You can't use that VM in its current state, you have to import to ESX, which will make a copy. So you should copy the files to your machine or another machine with Converter on it. You can try mapping a drive to the LUN, but about half the time this doesn't work, the files have to be local to VM Converter for it to be successful.

Then you use converter to push the vmdk files to an ESX server, and your original files remain in tact, no modifications. Then it will create the VM, put the files where they should go and even give you the option to power on when it's complete. Make sure you update the tools in the guest.

Then you should be all set.

[pnavahal]

Hello Virtual Vic,

When u start vmconverter import vm - select standalone virtual machine,backup or disk image - browse your vm ( where it stored) - when u go next it retrive ur os data.

For destination give the essx server ip address,username and password (esx server login credentials).

[ponpalani2001]

Hi,

It is possible to upload workstation vmdk files to ESX server.

You can use winscp tool to copy the files from your local wks to ESX server.

1. First enable the ESX firewall to allow the ssh traffic

2. Copy the files using winscp to the ESX server.

3. use vmksfstools -i /vmfs/sourcedisk /vmfs/destinationdisk to import the copied vmdk files(incase HDD created by a SCSI by wks)

4. If it is an HDD created by ide then use VMconvertor to convert to SCSI HDD.

4. Map the vmdk files to the server.